The local fish canning factory, Indian Ocean Tuna Limited (IOT) has scooped this year's top award for safest work place.

IOT was declared the safest overall workplace, out of 200 vetted, during the closing ceremony of Safety Week 2003 which took place at the International Conference Centre on Friday October 3.

Minister Dolor Ernesta of Social Affairs and Employment presented IOT's general manager (GM), Mr David Bentley, with the trophy his company won, as representatives of another 14 companies collected their awards from their respective sponsors.

In the hotel and tourism category, Coral Strand Hotel won first prize followed by St Anne Resort and Fisherman's Cove Hotel, while Hot Pot, Yummy's and Sandy's won the top three prizes in the "Take away" category, in that order.

Seychelles Industrial Business Authority (SIBA) was declared winner in the business services category, in which Bank of Baroda came second and Creole Holidays third.

The 2,300 personnel-strong IOT came first in the manufacturers' category followed by Seychelles Breweries Limited and Oceana Fisheries as Public Utilities Corporation's water and sewerage department prevailed in the workshops and garages category where Echo Garages came second and Island Motors third.

Allied Builders emerged the winners in the construction company category, in which Shreeji Construction were their runners up as Laxmanbhai occupied third position.

MPS Supermarket won in the trade and commerce category where Temooljee came second and Mohan Shopping Centre third. In the transport and communication sector Merlin Communication came first followed by Cable and Wireless, and Seychelles Public Transport Corporation, in that order.

The coordinator of Safety Week 2003, Mrs Marie-Vonne Francis said the establishments were judged on all aspects of occupational health and safety. She gave the examples of good house keeping, presence of first aid and safety committees and elaborate fire prevention programmes. She said that IOT had in the last five years made very notable improvements in its safety at the workplace efforts.

In her closing remarks, principal secretary for Health, Mrs Marja MacGaw, announced that her ministry is making efforts towards greater recognition and combat of mental health problems including occupational stress during forthcoming activities to mark World Mental Health Day, which she nevertheless said will this year largely focus on the mental health of children.

She said that the theme of this year's Safety Week, "Managing risks to improve production and development," was in line with the national theme for 2003 declared by President France Albert Rene as the "Year of economic and social dynamism."

"The government attaches great importance to the well-being of the people," she said adding that is why new regulations for the pre-employment and routine medical examination of workers are being introduced.

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